lake geneva

Angleterre & Residence Hotel, Swiss Riviera Living

The Angleterre & Residence Hotel is a charmingly majestic complex of luxury villas-turned-hotel-rooms right on the shores of Lake Geneva in the cosmopolitan Swiss Riviera town of Lausanne.

Situated right next to the world-renowned Beau-Rivage Palace, the Angleterre & Residence is a perfect fit for those who would prefer something a little more quaint and in keeping with the laid-back feel of Lausanne. Each villa has three floors of sovereign hotel rooms and access to the courtyard, the captivating pool above, the Cinq Mondes Spa at the Beau-Rivage Palace, and the breakfast room with an unobstructed view of Lake Geneva. The French Alps look so close you could almost touch them.

The six historic villas, or "pavilions" as they call them, feature modern, comfortable decor, though parts date back as far as the 18th century. Although the hotel is adjacent to the boardwalk, you'll find the villas remarkably well-protected from the street; discreet and quiet. The property has 75 rooms and junior suites, four banquet rooms, private underground parking and two restaurants, all without ever feeling overwhelming or like a "compound."

My stay at the exceptional Angleterre & Residence Hotel in Lausanne, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, was one I would repeat and recommend. Check out the gallery for a first-person look at this fabulous hotel.

Gallery: Inside the Angleterre & Residence Hotel

My trip to the Switzerland was sponsored by Switzerland Tourism, but the ideas and opinions expressed in this article are 100 percent my own.

Tags: Angleterre Residence, Hotels, lake geneva, Lausanne, swiss hotel, swiss riviera, Switzerland

Beyond Luxury: Du Parc Kempinski

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments

Let the celebs take the lead, young and old starlets who rent out the Chauteau Marmont nightly, who'd rather pay for hotel service than sign a lease. For the busiest of the busiest, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing that anything you could ever need is just a bells call away. So what if you're looking for the five-star experience, but your tastes are more refined than the typical celebutante?

Say you want Swiss chocolate delivered on a silver platter at 2 AM? Or the latest in Davidoff cigars, custom-designed for you and your closest mates? Or a Givenchy oil massage in your own living room? A programmable bathtub filled with hot water waiting for you when you come home from the slopes? In-house private trainer? Curated wine collection, from surrounding vineyards and beyond? The list goes on. What if I told you, there's not one, but three concierge services at your beck and call? And this isn't a hotel, but a private residence, located at one of the most gorgeous sites on the planet? The trend has picked up on luxury private residences from New York to Dubai, and now the five-star home is coming to the heart of Europe.

Meet the Du Parc Kempinski, a new private residence building encompassing 21 apartments and three penthouses at the top of Mont-Pèlerin, Chardonne, that aims to meet luxury expectations above and beyond the call of duty. It's a new renovation of a 1906 Belle Epoque hotel that has welcomed guests like Victor Hugo or Pierre Cardin over the century. I was part of a recent tour of international journalists, all brought to the Lake Geneva region to experience the amazing location. While the famed hotel was in its initial stages of regutting, with planned balcony expansion and an axing of the annex ballroom, there was a faux model apartment set up for prospective buyers to peruse, showcasing state-of-the-art technology and a lush purple color scheme. Our group was brought to the high mountaintops of Vaud to see this amazing spot on planet Earth, overlooking the largest lake in Europe, majestic snowy mountain tops, and UNESCO-recognized vineyards. It's a place completely secluded yet quickly and easily accessible to Geneva. At the Du Parc Kempinski, we witnessed a way of life apart from any other.

Gallery: Du Parc Kempinski

Tags: du parc kempinski, geneva, lake geneva, switzerland, vaud

Continue reading “Beyond Luxury: Du Parc Kempinski”

Inside Europe's Largest and Grandest Hotel Suite

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you're looking for a world-class hotel experience in the heart of Europe, you'd have trouble finding any experience that rivals the Geneva Suite. The crown jewel of the Grand Hotel Kempinski, at 11,690 square feet, boasts the reputation of being the largest free-standing hotel suite on the continent.

So what do you get for the price of 50,000 Swiss francs (approximately U$S 45,000) a night? To start with, corner views that look out onto the gorgeous Lake Geneva with a prime view of the Old Town and the famous Jet d'Eau, sparkling over the water at sunrise. The duplex is comprised of two living rooms, three master bedrooms, four bathrooms, one with a private steam bath, and a full-service kitchen, complete with a personal chef to cater to any culinary whims guests may have. Additional rooms include an office, a state-of-the-art gym, and a billiards room. Private butlers are on hand to attend to any guests' needs.

I toured the Geneva Suite at a recent presentation for the Du Parc Kempinski private residences. Overlooking the lake, and the majestic buildings across the water, it's a perfect setting for either business or pleasure. "With the Geneva Suite, we wanted something unique, down to the last details. I believe we have succeeded in creating an exclusive suite on a truly grand scale," said Michael Henssler, General Manager of the Grand Hotel Kempinski.

Gallery: The Geneva Suite

Tags: du parc kempinski, grand hotel kempinski, lake geneva, largest hotel suite in europe, switzerland

Continue reading “Inside Europe's Largest and Grandest Hotel Suite”

The Spa Givenchy at Le Mirador Kempinski

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

When visiting the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland, the first feelings you get are an overwhelming sense of relaxation and calmness. Surrounded by such gorgeous mountains and an expansive pristine lake, it's a feeling that can't quite be replicated anywhere else in the world. Taking advantage of this prime location, Le Mirador Kempinski has set up one of the world's leading tranquility centers, the Spa Givenchy to truly maximize their of their renown offerings of de-stressing and beautification. Facing a one-of-a-kind view of the Swiss Alps and Vaud coast, spa visitors are treated to a double dose of well-being.

The Givenchy Spa features a huge 90 square meter suite, as well as jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, and massage rooms, all accompanied by premier Givenchy treatments and products.

Tags: givenchy spa, Lake Geneva, le mirador kempinski, spa treatments, switzerland

Continue reading “The Spa Givenchy at Le Mirador Kempinski”

Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva, Now Open for Business

by Jaime El-Helw (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The previously-managed Hilton property was partially reopened in February, after extensive renovations, by new managers: Kempinski Hotels. This 110-year-old establishment (Europe's oldest) has once again worked their magic by completely refurbishing and modernizing the property which, in my opinion as a frequent visitor, was long overdue. The architectural and interior designs at this five-star luxury hotel are now more elegantly modern yet still cozy and inviting. With its warm-wintry-white tones and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, both the public and private areas seem to capture the beautiful sense of space and natural light which exists from being conveniently located on the Quai du Mont-Blanc, facing Lake Geneva. It is sure to attract some new and exciting clientele with its contemporary feel, as the other luxury hotels in Geneva are quite traditional in comparison. The new design will include the duplex-style "Geneva Suite" -- one of the largest suites available in the area with its own private spa and gym, not to mention incredible views encompassing the city, the lake, and the Swiss Alps. The second and final opening phase should be complete by end of May which will double the amount of rooms and include new restaurants, a nightclub, and cutting-edge conferencing facilities. So if you hurry, you can take advantage of their "soft-opening" reduced rates and stay in a deluxe lake-facing room with 24-hour room service, plasma-screen TV, high-speed internet, and a small balcony on which to enjoy the fresh mountain air, for approximately USD$523 (CHF 632).

Tags: boutique hotel, contemporary hotel, geneva hotel, geneva suite, GenevaHotel, lake geneva, luxury hotel, modern european hotel, mont blanc